Breaking China, Asia, HK News, Opinions and Insights

US Navy sailors load onto an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli on March 26.
The Tripoli arrived in the Middle East last week. Photo: Handout

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

2 hours agovideocam

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

US-Israel war on Iran

Global Economy

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

Analysts say Middle East turmoil is elevating commodity input costs, affecting processing efforts and prompting push for ‘friendshoring’ to secure resources.

3 hours ago

Big Tech

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

47 minutes ago

Society

Call to close loopholes in Hong Kong’s child sexual offence bill

NGOs say amendment bill should offer better protections for young victims giving evidence in court and create new offences for persistant abuse.

2 hours ago

Science

‘Impossible for Chinese’: Yale scientist Zhang Kai leaves US for China

Science

How to take down a US F-35 over Iran? Chinese engineer’s tutorial goes viral

Striking phenomenon emerges from China as technically skilled civilians volunteer expertise online to help Iran counter US military might.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

A US Marine Corps F-35C Lightning II lands on the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln at an undisclosed location during Operation Epic Fury on March 7. Photo: US Navy/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Military

PLA upgrades ageing tanks with protection system for potential Taiwan operation

Type 96A main battle tanks from Eastern Theatre Command now have APS to counter drones and anti-tank missiles, according to state media.

4 hours ago

Tech Trends

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

1 hour ago

Business

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

In partnership with:

Dow

Caption: Dow’s Track and Trace Platform makes it possible to follow a recycled bottle’s journey from disposal to its rebirth as a new plastic bottle. Photo: Shutterstock

Business

New World pulls back on Causeway Bay acquisition amid uneven recovery

Developer steps back from consolidating three commercial sites as high costs and patchy demand weigh on redevelopment decisions.

4 hours ago

No 76 Percival Street in Causeway Bay. Photo: Antony Dickson

United States & Canada

US crude tops US$110, Wall Street falls after Trump vows more Iran attacks

Crude prices had been inching back towards US$100 per barrel before Trump’s Wednesday address in which he promised more strikes on Iran.

41 minutes agovideocam

Society

Hong Kong can become global hub for autism support: Unesco official

Chief Executive John Lee highlights importance of better understanding and acceptance of autistic people at event marking World Autism Awareness Day.

2 hours ago

China Business

China EV makers surge back in March as subsidies and financing spur demand

Carmakers report strong month-on-month gains as policy support and new financing schemes lift buyer sentiment.

5 hours ago

The EV rebound has been underpinned by renewed policy support at the local level. Photo: AFP

Harry’s View

Opinion | Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in March

Discover Harry’s View as our veteran cartoonist casts his satirical eye over the political, social and economic landscape.

40 minutes ago

China Economy

‘False proposition’: state media hits ‘China shock’ as cover for Western anxiety

The state-run Economic Daily says the real problem with the global economy is not China’s strong exports, but rising protectionism.

6 hours ago

Transport

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Widespread coverage is good news ahead of coming holiday for mainland visitors who have solely been using e-wallets for years.

3 hours ago

Middle East

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

2 hours ago

French President Emmanuel Macron leaves Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, South Korea on Thursday. Photo: via Reuters

Trending in China

China youth flock to TCM bars for ‘prescription cocktails’ amid ‘punk wellness’ trend

Younger generation embrace notion of ‘wrecking yourself while saving yourself’ by drinking concoctions of booze and herbs.

5 hours ago

Young Chinese consumers are flocking to Traditional Chinese Medicine bars where they can enjoy so-called prescription cocktails reflecting the rise of a “punk wellness” lifestyle. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote

Tech Trends

OpenClaw deepens China footprint through native Tencent, ByteDance integrations

Tencent is actively seeking cooperation with OpenClaw as it moves to capitalise on the agent’s popularity to win over domestic users.

4 hours ago

Lifestyle & Culture

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

5 hours agovideocam

OPINION

Hao Nan

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

1 hour ago

Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

2 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Ken Chu

Opinion | Hong Kong’s next 5 years must take city from alignment to action

2 Apr 2026 - 9:35AM

Letters

Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance

2 Apr 2026 - 11:30AM

Bernard Man

Legal Tales | The ‘split’ legal profession in Hong Kong

2 Apr 2026 - 9:33AM

Harry’s View | 2 Apr 2026

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1 minute ago

Europe

Britain says 40 countries discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz

10 minutes ago

Diplomacy

What will the US do next in its war on Iran? Chinese pundits point to a likely path

10 minutes ago

Diplomacy

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

40 minutes ago

Harry’s View

Opinion | Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in March

41 minutes ago

United States & Canada

US crude tops US$110, Wall Street falls after Trump vows more Iran attacks

1 hour ago

Football

China under-16 women’s team beat hosts France for second win in invitational event

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Traditional Russian wooden dolls depict Chinese President Xi Jinping, then US president-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg, Russia, on November 21, 2024. Photo: AP

SCMP Series Trump’s 2026 trip to China

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

27 Mar 2026 - 11:40PMvideocam

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

21 Mar 2026 - 2:39PMvideocam

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

20 Mar 2026 - 6:28PMvideocam

Open Questions series

China Economy

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

30 Mar 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

China Economy

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

25 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

23 Mar 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Military

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

16 Mar 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Key Industries:

Big Tech

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

21 Mar 2026 - 6:18PM

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang speaks during the company’s global AI conference in San Jose, California, March 17, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Big Tech

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

47 minutes ago

Tech Trends

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

1 hour ago

China Business

China EV makers surge back in March as subsidies and financing spur demand

Carmakers report strong month-on-month gains as policy support and new financing schemes lift buyer sentiment.

5 hours ago

Science

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

1 Apr 2026 - 9:50AMvideocam

Diplomacy

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Diplomacy

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

Politics

How a Tang dynasty tablet became a test for China-Japan restitution

Fresh calls involving Tokyo’s Imperial Palace could spell turning point for repatriating looted war relics after decades of inertia.

28 Mar 2026 - 3:50PM

How Trump’s plan to take Iran’s Kharg Island could come unhinged

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the key Iranian oil hub, with latest speech heightening fears.

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Trump’s ex-China mineral-alliance plan faces cost surge amid Iran war oil shock

Analysts say Middle East turmoil is elevating commodity input costs, affecting processing efforts and prompting push for ‘friendshoring’ to secure resources.

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

Call to close loopholes in Hong Kong’s child sexual offence bill

NGOs say amendment bill should offer better protections for young victims giving evidence in court and create new offences for persistant abuse.

‘Impossible for Chinese’: Yale scientist Zhang Kai leaves US for China

How to take down a US F-35 over Iran? Chinese engineer’s tutorial goes viral

Striking phenomenon emerges from China as technically skilled civilians volunteer expertise online to help Iran counter US military might.

PLA upgrades ageing tanks with protection system for potential Taiwan operation

Type 96A main battle tanks from Eastern Theatre Command now have APS to counter drones and anti-tank missiles, according to state media.

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Dow’s digital tracking system in China proves to consumers and businesses how waste can be recycled into new products.

New World pulls back on Causeway Bay acquisition amid uneven recovery

Developer steps back from consolidating three commercial sites as high costs and patchy demand weigh on redevelopment decisions.

US crude tops US$110, Wall Street falls after Trump vows more Iran attacks

Crude prices had been inching back towards US$100 per barrel before Trump’s Wednesday address in which he promised more strikes on Iran.

Hong Kong can become global hub for autism support: Unesco official

Chief Executive John Lee highlights importance of better understanding and acceptance of autistic people at event marking World Autism Awareness Day.

China EV makers surge back in March as subsidies and financing spur demand

Carmakers report strong month-on-month gains as policy support and new financing schemes lift buyer sentiment.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in March

Discover Harry’s View as our veteran cartoonist casts his satirical eye over the political, social and economic landscape.

‘False proposition’: state media hits ‘China shock’ as cover for Western anxiety

The state-run Economic Daily says the real problem with the global economy is not China’s strong exports, but rising protectionism.

40,000 taxi drivers sign up for e-payment systems as new rules come into force

Widespread coverage is good news ahead of coming holiday for mainland visitors who have solely been using e-wallets for years.

Macron says military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’

Such an operation would take excessive time and expose those crossing the strait to ‘coastal threats’.

China youth flock to TCM bars for ‘prescription cocktails’ amid ‘punk wellness’ trend

Younger generation embrace notion of ‘wrecking yourself while saving yourself’ by drinking concoctions of booze and herbs.

OpenClaw deepens China footprint through native Tencent, ByteDance integrations

Tencent is actively seeking cooperation with OpenClaw as it moves to capitalise on the agent’s popularity to win over domestic users.

Bali rocked by spate of murder cases – is Indonesian island more dangerous now?

The cases allegedly involving foreign suspects have spurred concerns that gang disputes have moved from other countries to the island.

Opinion | Iran war is changing East Asia’s energy and strategic plays

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

Opinion | Hong Kong’s next 5 years must take city from alignment to action

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance

Legal Tales | The ‘split’ legal profession in Hong Kong

Britain says 40 countries discuss reopening Strait of Hormuz

What will the US do next in its war on Iran? Chinese pundits point to a likely path

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

Opinion | Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in March

US crude tops US$110, Wall Street falls after Trump vows more Iran attacks

China under-16 women’s team beat hosts France for second win in invitational event

Exclusive | What does it mean for China if Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin visit back to back?

Expected trips in close succession highlight Beijing’s strategic effort to manage relations with the two in turbulent times, analysts say.

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

Exclusive | Trump ally Steve Daines will be first US senator to visit Hong Kong since 2019

Open Questions | Kenneth Rogoff on why China’s yuan will be a reserve currency within 5 years

Harvard economist explains why cryptocurrencies will never take the US dollar’s place, despite their popularity in underground economies.

Open Dialogue | Gary Liu and Liu Xiaochun on the US and China’s divergent paths for stablecoins

As investors await Hong Kong’s first stablecoin licences, two experts discuss the assets’ integration with the city’s economy – and the world’s.

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

Open Questions | Why Iran war may drive East Asia nuclear race, hit China in Mideast: Zhao Tong

Carnegie nuclear policy expert says law of the jungle signalled by US actions could spur more countries to pursue nuclear weapons.

Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI

China’s microelectronics, motors, rare earth and magnets – which are foundational to robotics – are the world’s best, says Huang.

Chinese AI giants pivot toward proprietary models to drive revenue, performance

This week, Alibaba released three proprietary models that were all accessible only via its official cloud platform or chatbot website.

Anthropic’s AI code leak ignites frenzy among Chinese developers

Chinese developers have been having a field day, scrambling to download copies of the leaked code and poring over files to learn detail.

China EV makers surge back in March as subsidies and financing spur demand

Carmakers report strong month-on-month gains as policy support and new financing schemes lift buyer sentiment.

Inside the shadowy practices plaguing China’s science awards

Beijing has rolled out new rules for investigating violations in scientific activities. So why are critics still pessimistic?

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

As the United States steps back from cultural governance, China aims to reshape how the world reclaims looted heritage – with Japan its biggest test.

How a Tang dynasty tablet became a test for China-Japan restitution

Fresh calls involving Tokyo’s Imperial Palace could spell turning point for repatriating looted war relics after decades of inertia.

From waste to bottle: the technology that gives packaging waste a verifiable second life

Opinion | Cartoonist Harry Harrison’s humorous takes on Hong Kong and beyond in March

Letters | Hong Kong needs to start charging all bus passengers by distance